Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Que can Coast to victory
A COSY winner in Naas on Tuesday, Cacique Royale should follow-up for Andy Oliver in the West Coast Cooler Handicap in Down Royal tonight.
This strapping threeyear-old bolted up in Naas, taking command early in the straight before scoring, eased down by Shane Foley, by a length and a half from favourite a Few Bob Short.
He was undoubtedly value for more than the winning margin, received an 8lb hike from the handicapper and runs this evening under a mandatory 6lb penalty.
Trainer Oliver’s post-race comments suggested Cacique Royale would improve from that run and, although quicker ground is a slight concern, he should triumph again.
Earlier, Ger Lyons and Colin Keane might double-up with juveniles Rita Levi and Army Recruit.
Runner-up in three of her four starts and fifth to the top-class Ten Sovereigns at the Curragh last time, Rita Levi will be helped by the drop to five furlongs and the addition of blinkers in the opener.
And Army Recruit, fourth to Madhmoon in a hot Leopardstown maiden on his debut, might overcome a wide draw in the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction 2-Y-0 Maiden.
In Kilbeggan, Gordon Elliott, who shared a Sedgefield four-timer with Richard Johnson yesterday (Make My Heart Fly, High Expectations, King’s Song and 1/12 shot Dinons) is responsible for the banker, Crezic, in the Midland Breeders Beginners Chase and he should score if reproducing the form which saw him chase home Monarch in Killarney last time.